Bump

I'm clueless about lighting control and have no idea which is right for me.

if you like to be hands on and like faders, knobs, etc a controllers are good.

but as far as being better, software is definitely better. software is often cheaper, has full control of fixtures, new fixtures can be added, supports multiple universes, you can create complex sequences, cue or play multiple sequences at the same time. Some software has plugins as well to add add'l functionality.

the only downside to software is that it requires a computer and a usb-to-dmx adapter. a controller is plug-n-play.

Some good software is FreeStyler, ShowXpress and LightJockey. my software of choice is freestyler and i use it with an Enttec DXM Pro USB adapter.
www.freestylerdmx.be

freestyler is free btw

what usb-to-dmx adapter do you use? i'm lookin into getting one of these. just want something cheap that can control 2 adj megapixels.

I've been looking at the ShowXpress, but it's pricey! 800 bucks for the plus! I'm gonna be busy DJ-ing anyway so I won't really be able to go over to the DMX controller and start playing with the lights during a gig. I just want to be able to trigger different things at different times like blackout, strobe effects etc.

So basically with the software, you need 2 laptops with you at gigs? One for the music (obviously) and one for the lights?

I have an older laptop, hopefully the lighting software doesn't need the same spec computer as my music does

I would recommend freestyler for you. it's a free download and you can get a USB dongle for about $50 or so online. I have a laptop that is about 7 years old running freestyler and it's fine with no problems. You really don't need much processing power at all to make it run. I'm sure you can even run on a netbook if you want. Hell, I use a netbook as a backup to Serato and it works so you can most certainly use one for freestyler.
Here is a link to the dongle that I have:

www.enttec.com

You will also need this too:
www.enttec.com

And you're all set!

wow, thats pretty cool, thanks! I've never heard of enttec

if you are on a mac and want to use freestyler than yes, you need another laptop. there are some good mac dmx software out there tho. also if you have a decent machine you can run serato and dmx software on the same machine.

the best way to use freestyler is to pre-program you show before the event (or use defaults). you can run or own sequences (or blackout) by either clicking a button or using midi control

I do use a mac for my DJ-ing, but have my old Asus available that needs some fixing up. What kind of midi controllers are good for lights?

anything really. but for the best control you probably want something with faders, knobs and buttons.

the novation ZeRO SL MkII would make a perfect midi controller for lighting

Wow, that looks like an awesome controller!!! And I can use this for lights???? I'm new to the world of MIDI also, forgive me lol

can you use the software to link up to the sound or beat of the music, say by putting a line or a mic in? or does it just run its own program when its coming off a second lappy? i know you can pre program the full show... but i would love to just drop the dimensions of the room in there and then the show runs it's self but its controlled so the lights just arn't wondering all over the place.

I just wanted to jump in with a question. I have showxpress because I was messing around with it and saw that it has profiles for almost every single light I could want but could I use freestyler as easily with the intimidator spot 150 led and the chauvaet 4bar tri? Thanks!

freestyler includes all current chauvet lights. it is very easy to program a moving head or manually control it. light bar or pars are extremely easy well. freestyler includes Magic 3D for viewing/programming your lights in a 3D space.

@DJ Dac Freestyler includes a plugin that listens to an audio source (line in, etc). the audio can be used to jump to next steps or cues, random dmx value, blackout, or pan/tilt fade.

does anybody have some reccomendations for free dmx control software for a mac? thanks for the link certified.

i don't know of any free dmx software for mac.

Cuelux is definitely the best mac dmx software. it's free to download, but only works with their interface. same thing with ShowXpress.

Check out Pangolin Quickshow. It's mainly used for laser control, but the DMX functions are swift! It also works with Korg Nanokontrol. Got my lights set up with it and it rocks. Way easier to use than Light Jockey.

www.pangolin.com

You will need the enttec PRO box listed above.

update: freestyler runs perfectly fine on mac via parallels desktop for mac. i'm using it with the enttec dmx usb pro and the dmx usb pro mk2.

programming my NYE show right now.

(4) Elation DesignSpot Pro 250's
(2) ADJ Mega Pixel LED
(1) ADJ Micro Galaxian
(20) Uplight's

more info on this please I have Pangolin Quickshow for our 1watt RGB laser but I'm using lightjockey for lighting. Light Jockey is great but its incredibly complex and not user friendly in anyway. I Am running LJ with my Ipad and midi right now but i'm looking for something else.

Pangolin DMX programming is super easy! Check out the instructional DVD videos (pangolins website). If you already own it, you will need the Enttec DMX Pro to go from USB to DMX. About $150. I run my light show with Korg midi controller. Works great even with Serato running.

Pangolin is expensive and not recommended for DMX. However, if you have a animated Laser, this software and hardware is a must.

I have a DMX Pro and 3 Pin Female To 5 Pin Male Adaptor to use with FreeStylerDMX. So I will try it with my Pangolin (Windows Only) Software because it does look super easy. I believe you can cue the DMX show to music as well.

I haven't been to happy with FreeStylerDMX. I know there software is free, but it has crashed on me several times when I was LIVE. Ironically, it has never crashed on me testing or using the 3D. I downloaded the iOS App so I can run my show wirelessly, but I haven't tried it yet. Running the Fixture Creator is nice, but I would rather have the DMX light already programmed (or downloadable).

Has anyone used myDMX 2.0 by American DJ? Can you create fixtures on MAC now. Can you do advanced DMX Cues or is it limited? Is it stable on a MAC or PC?

I just saw this "MyDMX2.0 Easy View 3D Will Release Late 2013" Bummer. forums.americandj.com

while Pangolin does DMX it is missing some key features that any DMX software should have. Makes sense because it is for controlling lasers. i wouldn't recommend it for programming a light show with various fixtures.

J.J. i'm not sure what version of FreeStyler you are using or the system that it is running on, but ever since i have started using it a few years ago it has been nothing but flawless for me.

have you tried running it virtually on your mac?

the reason that i love it is because it is free, works with any interface and has some extremely powerful features. recently i started getting into the midi mapping and submasters.

i've tried myDMX, lightjockey and showexpress.

myDMX is win/mac so that a plus. runs stable as far as i can tell. you can't create/edit fixtures on the mac. the interface is horrible (pretty tho). especially when you have a lot of lights. alot of space is wasted with the dmx faders.

the scene builder is ok, but the scene system is extremely limited. basically you can only create a scene with x number of steps. and you can only run one scene at a time!

no notion of cue buttons (recall multiple scenes), no notion of override (override currently playing scene) and no notion of submasters/subcues (mix and match different parts of different scenes on the fly).

and the fact that no 3D until (let's just say 2014) is wack.

Just picked up the Chauvet intimidator spot led 250's. I have a pair and I really need the best advice on how to control these so they point at the dancefloor and still give a great show. Anyone who has experience with these please let me know your thoughts. What would be the best controller to buy? I own a mac so software wise it would have to work with that.

this
synthe-fx.com

I own freestyler and Light Jockey. For a cheap controller is better to run the lights Master-slave. Try to make a circle and you will agree with me. Freestyler with Entec is a good way to start but is limited. Is an unsupported software with a lot of limitations. In a way is a incomplete copy of LJ but it serve me well. LJ is U$14000 but is amazing and like Serato is the industry standard. It has a step learning curve but as a Martin Product is super solid and is the stepping stone for the big lighting leagues like GrandMA, avolites and Hog that are used in concerts and Arenas. LJ can be fully programmed to run your show with few input from the dj.

unsupported...please. you'll get help on the freestyler forums faster than you will calling or emailing martin tech support.

what limitations does freestyler have? i use both freestyler and light jockey and its known fact that that freestyler can do more than light jockey can.

and light jockey is far from industry standard. yes alot of people use it but that's because they go with the company that provides them with intelligent lighting. not because it is the best.

This is what I miss about VDJ, they have a plugin that works with FS and I can set scenes to cue points in my tracks. A lot of work to setup but well worth it in the end.

Come Serato, pick up the pace a little already.....

If Freestyler works for you, more power to you as you will have more money for lights.

It maybe operator error but when I moved to moving heads, it was hard to keep the lights on the dance floor, instead they were all over the place, with LJ is very easy. In both, the tool for movement is similar but the macro option in LJ is what it made a huge difference but it could be just me, also the cue list in which I put all my cues and they just run triggered by time codes, time lapse etc is huge.

I do not work for either company and I am more in to sound than in to lights, but same operator (me) with both softwares: 1st Freestyler (Over 3 years) I was missing a lot, many times switching to automatic lights in the middle of the event and now Light Jockey, (2 Months) and very happy, lights look great and I am learning more every day.

My 2 cents on the matter.

1. My issue with most of the above softwares is that they are married to these rinky-dink, plastic usb/XLR dongles.  I chose the Chauvet's ShowXpress Plus because it comes with a rackmount controller that can have your software scenes save in it and playback controlled off of up to 13 or so buttons.  I still have a Martin Freekie but may consider selling it.  (nm) 

gaffle have you seen the enttec DMX USB PRO Mk2? all metal housing, midi in/out, 2 universes and works with almost any dmx software. you can also record scenes and play them back in standalone mode.

1. I just really have issue with them not being rack mountable.  I don't understand why manufacturers don't make them that way.  (nm)

Enttec USB Pro works with Pangolin software too. I just hooked up a DMX package with a friend. He's using a Novation mini pad to activate the MIDI cues on the software. Spent about 20 minutes programming it and he's off and running - very easy to learn.

I'm using luminair for iPad -I really like it

The whole setup is around 300-400 (plus you need an iPad )

It uses Ethernet to dmx.

All you need is

Edmx1 $120
Luminair software $130
Airport express $100

search luminair Just another option to look at

Cuelux us a great piece of kit. Simple to use and multi platform - Mac OSX/ Linux and Windows. You can also use your iphone/ ipad for triggering Cues!

I need some instruction on actually setting up my lights, Ive got 2 Chauvet ColorPalletes and a Par64, Im currently running Mac OS X 10.9 I need to find some easy software to operate and set up. I have a HolidayCoro DMX controller that uses the Enttec drivers. I'm about to just get a PC to run the lights if I can't figure this out. I worked on trying to just control one light yesterday and couldn't even figure out how to send data to the Par64. I need some instructions.

Thank you

Mac (as far as I know) does not have many programs that will run DMX. I've called at least 3 companies and they all run on PC only. I had to do the same thing you mentioned... use a separate PC just for lights. I already had it though, so it wasn't a big deal, but more cords and a second computer to worry about. :(

Enttec says it has Mac compatibility, but I have also not got it to work.

Have you looked at dedicated DMX controllers like Chauvet Obey series or American DJ Stage Setters? More gear, but might be a good fit for some basic color pallets and Par lights.

I've thought about getting a basic controller for now something that has some kind of sound input something to go with the music if I had too. Got any suggestions for a decent controller?

Thanks
Ken

I've only used Chauvet Obey 10 & 40 and ADJ Stage Setter. Both had audio functions I think (or at least tempo tap). Martin and Behringer make DMX controllers too, but expensive and complicated (in that order - lol). Good luck to ya.

I'm considering getting an ADJ light board and making my life simpler lol it's a hundred but it worth it

i use the enttec dmx usb pro mk2 on my mac with parallels (windows 7). works flawlessly. i run freestyler and i like it better than all the other dmx software out.

I use the Chauvet Showxpress with my macbook pro. I think its great and easy to use. I also use it with Serato DJ at gigs. No problems at all.

Showeoress runs on mac OSX?

I thought this looked really dope, but don't see it much out in the wild. Is nobody rocking Luminair out there?

Yup, I've been using it as well. I use it with VDJ though because I can name cue points a certain way and when I hit that cue point it'll trigger a scene I have setup.

Really wish SDJ could stuff like that......

True dat! I was hoping for this feature when they (SSL) announced MIDI output, but no such luck. I would love to run a few light scenes with my cue points in the song files. Dope!

The MIDI out is SDJ is a bad joke.

fixed

Hi. First post here. Loads of useful info in this thread but still a bit lost as to what I need to get a fairly simple setup going.

Bought 2 chauvet megastrobes to use with my band. Our set is to a click and songs are fixed in length and tempo so I'm wanting to program the two lights to be synched to the music. I've downloaded freestyler so will have a play around with that. Is the enttec open dmx the best choice of interface for such a simple setup?

Thanks

Aah, may have to try different software as freestyler doesn't have the megastrobe listed in fixtures.

Yes it does. Mine was not flawless though. Sometimes when I plugged on the box, it would not recognize it, or if it did, the program would go all buggy. I eventually gave up and installed it on a PC. I plan on keeping lighting on a separate computer.
@Select, you run the lighting software and SDJ off of the same laptop at a gig? Just sounds like a hicup waiting to happen.

A lot of DMX software will have a "Tap to Tempo" function that will allow you to time the strobe light with the beat of your music. Also, your software should recognize incoming audio signals too. This might work better to cue up your stone light on the drum beats.

I've never used Freestyler, but seen similar programs like Enttec and Pangolin Quickshow. You don't need the software to be specific to a particular light fixture - you just need to program the DMX address channels to it. If Freestyler does not include the MegaStrobe fixture, no problem. Just manually program the DMX channels on the strobe and match them with the software.

Hi Folks, I am a complete beginner with DMX and just about ready to buy some light. I have read through this thread/discussion with great interest. I hope you can help me with the age old question, should i use a hardware or software controller? I want to be able to create light shows for specific pieces of music. For example, if I use a classical track say Blue Danube Waltz or a Pink Floyd track, I want to program the light to do specific actions at certain times during the music. Maybe up to 12 light, moving heads, scanners etc. Would i be able to do that better with a hardware or software controller? I'm not a Dj, this is only for personal use. What would you guys recommend? If software which would be best and easyest to use? Many thanks, Ray

Have you checked out Enttec? You'll need the Enttec Pro dongle, but the software is free and pretty universal too. I ran some haunted house effects with it a few years back and it worked well for timing certain events to a soundtrack.

sofware is where it at. More expensive but much more flexible. It depends on your needs

Yup, software is where it's at. I have a Enttec Pro Dongle and use Freestyler (It's Free but PC only) and Pangolin Beyond with it. Freestyler MIDI wasn't working and it's impossible to get official support on FREE software. Plus I got tired of making Fixture Files. I also purchased Luminair for the iPad/iPhone but you still need a Mac and the setup is cumbersome.

However, I just ordered Chauvet ShowExpress 512 Plus because of the new software version 7. It's called The Lighting Controller in Europe. It's clean, easy and now offers MIDI Out to light up the LEDs. It works with PC or MAC. I got the more expensive 512 Plus because it offers 12 shows wirelessly without a computer. Download it for FREE www.chauvetlighting.com and see what you think. I learned it real quick by looking at youtube videos. www.youtube.com

You can propably get into Show Express for a little over $200 with Chauvet Xpress 100 USB to DMX. The price is great but you are limited to 10 fixtures with a maximum of 100 DMX channels. 512 should run you around $420-$500. 512 Plus should run you around $650-$750

JJ what issues are you having with FreeStyler MIDI? i'm using it with Lemur and i have access to all the functions. It was harder to program lemur than it was to create scenes in FreeStyler.

Hi guys,

Just wondering what the setup would be connecting the lighting pc controlling the moving heads to arena controlling the visuals.

I basically want to sync the colours of the moving heads to the colours of the visuals on the mac running to the LED wall

Thankyou for your help

Same here. I was using freestyler with that same dongle and everything worked perfectly. Theres really no need to create fixture files either since a quick google search will turn up tons of preexisting ones.

I have not done this but I know it is possible. You need Resolume Arena, LED moving head lighting (must be LED Heads) and 1 or possibly 2 DMX/USB interfaces. I would get the Enttec Pro 2 model. What are you using to control the lighting currently? I know this is very possible todo if you are using a Chamsys lighting board or a Grand MA (I doubt you have one of those) or if you are running chamsys on a computer with a Enttec DMX adaptor.

OK, since there's next to no information on Luminaire, I've decided to play guinea pig. Here's what I've found:

Initial setup was super easy, with fixture files available for 4/5 of my lights. My Martin MX-1s were not in the database, but manually adding the channels and assigning the dmx starting point was kid stuff. With all the controls at hand, creating scenes was also easy, once I stopped erasing them by accident (pro-tip: changes are auto saved to any active cue). The auto-save function is a must, since I've had about 5 force-closes in the past few days.

Aside from the crashes, the only other negatives I've found are A) a lack of macros and B) I can't find a way to snap between shows. My lights cycle through their dmx values for the duration of the next show's fade time, which is especially annoying when moving through slow shows

I was using standard DMX controller type boards (obey40 and ADJ equivalent) for a few years until I recently bought the Chauvet ShowXpress 512 interface and I couldn't be happier with it's performance and ease of use. Here is a quick video of a lightshow I programmed after only owning it for less than a week:

www.facebook.com

^doh!
Is there an echo in here?

@ code e

The club is using a pc app called ecue

Pretty simple and most Prob a free app lol

Hey O.B.1

What lights did you use in your video?

In that particular video I'm using 4x Chauvet intimidator Wash/Zoom 350 fixtures on mini totems and 8x Chauvet Slimpar56 on the horizontal truss.

How did you get the scenes to sink with the song?

If only we had the option for MIDI out for every cue point that happens in the song. Then we could make scenes for each verse/chorus and if would all stay in sync

^^ THIS ^^

I was hoping for that feature when Serato announced MIDI out put a couple years ago... nope, not what I expected. :(

Haha I'm 14 yet it seems that I have better ideas than the dev team lol

Can already be done with VDJ.......

Using the timeline feature in ShowXpress, it took me about 3hrs to program that lightshow to the 3 minute song, but that was after only owning it for less than a week. In live mode it also has the ability to instantly trigger scenes via MIDI mapped buttons on almost any type of controller. (I happen to use an old Korg nano pad.)

I use similar functions in Pangolin Quickshow. Also, with a Korg NanoKontrol Pad. Only trouble is that you can't mix those songs in Serato (SSL for me). They are stand-alone music/light combinations that have to be played in isolation - through Pangolin (or ShowExpress).

ShowXpress also has an audio input feature allowing the scenes to change with the tempo of the music. (This feature is only available on PC)

This is the feature I want the most right now. Sucks I use a mac.

I just use an old Toshiba to run showXpress. The software is so simple it hardly uses any resources so I just run it on a separate computer than my DJ laptop although it could easily be done.

I also run mine on a separate laptop, PC. When I used it on my Mac, showexpress had glitches and acted all weird. I installed on a PC and seems to run fine. I don't want to take a chance and have the audio go wrong during a gig or something, so I'm willing to hook up an additional laptop if needed.

Same thing here - Pangolin only works for PC. I have to have a separate laptop to run my DMX lights, but I use a MIDI (Korg NanoPad) controller to trigger cues. It's OK, but not the ideal set-up.

Same here. Got an old dell laptop on CL for like $150. Works with show express flawlessly. Certainly the way to go!

Pangolin Laser Systems responded to a user in the comments 10 months ago: "Yes, we know what you mean. At this point Pangolin is 100% Mac at our company. However we have developed so much PC software, it will take a while to migrate to the Mac. I expect that we will have laser software for the Mac some time in late 2014 or so..."
youtu.be

So wait. What.... Qucik show will be on mac at some point?

I called William Benner and the research team at Pangolin about 6 months ago and asked personally about Quickshow for Mac. Response was a very clear "nope." They use Macs alright, but with Bootcamp or Parallels. I dig their commitment to their products and can understand why they don't code for Mac - probably the same reason that ME won't code for Windows... :)

I've been using compushow by elation and it's been pretty clunky, although I think it has a lot with the terrible computers we've been using. We're doing an overhaul new computer and several new fixtures, considering switching control software, any recommendations?

Did you read the posts above? Lots of recommendations! Not to sound rude, but there is a lot of great info already posted. I use Pangolin Quickshow, but it's primary intent is for laser (ILDA) image control. It just happen to have DMX capabilities too. Take a look at what others are using form this and other DMX threads. Good luck to ya.

i use the Enttec DMX USB Pro MK2 with FreestylerDMX. i use it with several elation design spot 250 pro's and i love it.

What midi conttrolers can you recomend to use for better use of software?
On Mac I recommend to use QLC+, for now it has only about 400 fixtures, buts it's not too complicated to make yourself. What I miss here is a some kind of visualizer. But it's worth to check out, for it's show, cue features and etc.
And for more experienced users is a Magicq software, but it's not comfortable to use without wing or touchscreen.. Dont't know how it would be with midi controller

hey guys im new to lighting

what software can i download on a laptop (windows) that can help me learn to do lighting better. and what attachments will i need to make this work. i live in Australia

thanks

Watch out for enttec their stuff is CHEaP

Try the adj my dmx software wich can run in the backround on your computer and be controlled by an iPad

Thats the 1st time I have heard anything bad about enttec stuff.

Stay away from the ADJ mydmx software. loaded with bugs and not all of the fixture presets are set up. Use Martin Light Jockey. Professional, Reliable and an Industry standard.

I use light jockey. It is "ok" but not great. It also expensive as fuck. No where near worth what that ask. If you got a used copy and dongle for $500 cool get it, but dont pay the $1800-2500 they ask for it.

I second this.

I use MYDMX 2.0 and its working fine for me but this software looks great:

Watchwww.youtube.com

Does it work with Mac too?

showxpress + wireless dmx during sound check
Watchwww.youtube.com

+1 for ShowXpress

+1. Nothing but great reviews from my friends that use their equipment.

Enttec has a few different models. If you pony up and get the "pro" version, then you won't have any issues. I've been using Enttec and DMX King dongles for years and never had any problems.

What about chromateq, with the LP512? New to the whole software side of DMX. Does anyone have experience with chromateq? If so let me know pros and cons, looking into buying some lighting equipment for my church

I've used Enttec and Freestyler for years. I believe it is modeled after the expensive Martin Light Jockey. It's amazing the FreeStyler Developer named ljraph does all the programming by himself in his spare time.

However. I needed something that ran on a Mac, was powerful and versatile, was wireless, offer MIDI In and Out and was easy to program and easy to run Live. This is what I opted for:
1. Chauvet ShowExpress (The Lighting Controller)
2. Xpress 512 Plus
3. Xpress Remote (never used it)
4. FlareCON Air (Wi-Fi transmitter sends DMX D-Fi wirelessly)

I programmed my Ableton Push via MIDI In/Out to run scenes, strobe and color changes. The purple button on the MIDI controller turns the uplights purple, the pink button turns them pink etc. Very EASY! I use the wireless battery operated Freedom Par Hex 4. No more spending time on my knees running DMX cable or looking for the closest electrical outlet. For DMX on my older lights and moving heads, I simply find the closest Freedom Par and hook up a DMX cord to the Out and hook it up the the DMX In on the older light.

What controller do you speak of? I can't find a controller called that.

I believe he means showxpress by Chauvet

It must not be a hardware controller. He must be talking about the software. .

ShowExpress www.chauvetlighting.com is made by a European company called The Lighting Controller. The software in Europe is called Sweet Light. www.sweetlight-controller.com

Forum: forum.thelightingcontroller.com
Version 7 is stable and version 8 is already in BETA.

Now why can't people make more posts like these. BAM that's some information. Time to dig in.

Same here.
Xpress 512 and using a transceiver for wireless out.
So far have six Hex 4 and four Quad 4
I have older Freedom Pars and non wireless uplights, which if used, I attach transceivers or just run DMX cables from the other wireless lights.

Xpress 512 here too and Quad 4's (Love them)....what kind of transceivers are you using? DMXing my moving heads and other pars and bars in my booth is taking too much time.

So I took the advise of DJ Nyce, as I'm new to lighting and DMX I didn't think it was worth the gamble paying some of the ridiculous prices some of these software companies charge so got a free laptop from a friend, bought an Entec USB DMX pro mk2 for $150 from thomann and got Freestyler for nothing.

Within a hour I'd got the results I needed for the show I wanted, all my fixtures apart from the strobe had pre made profiles so really it's a really good option if your worried about spending too much.

I've done 2 shows now and it's been awesome they'd have to be a really big incentive for me to spend more than I have and I've read alot about other programs but don't really see a clear advantage to them over Freestyler.

My rig is

2X ADJ INNO SCAN HP
2X ADJ SPHERION
4X CHAVET UV SHADOW
1 X ADJ FREQ 16

Hope this helps a beginner like me make up there mind, maybe one day I'll upgrade but right now i'd rather spend the money on lights.

WHat software are you using?

Using this D-Fi but they are discontinued as of late last year. I have 8 of them.
store.prolightingsupply.com

I'm using ShowXpress
www.chauvetlighting.com

lol. is that a fact or opinion?

i have owned almost every usb dmx interface and the enttec DMX USB Pro Mk2 is far from cheap. it's made out of metal for crying out loud. and aside from build quality, the feature set alone makes it one of the best, if not the best usb dmx interface on the market.

Luminair 3 cane out last week, adding motion presets...FINALLY. Thoughts?

To all the ADJ MyDMX2.0 users... I've been on the fence with my current Chauvet Showexpress (old rackmount version) on PC or switching to MyDMX. Is there much validity to lots of these negative reviews: www.amazon.com ?

I've seen MyDMX in action and love the layout, colors (similar to SSL/SDJ) and interface simplicity. The guys running it had about 20 uplights and a pair of movers. I'm not sure if their moving scenes were programmed and complex or just running in auto-run mode.

I recently started using MYDMX 2.0. I had someone who is very familiar with program build scenes for me. Mostly for moving heads and DOTZ Floods. I am liking the layout as well.

There are better programs out there that I like but cost double of MYDMX.

I have a pair of Chauvet 4-Bar Tri fixtures that I've been using as stage lights for about 3 years. Been using an Obey-10 to control them, typically just using channel 1 fader to call up automatic programs, which has served my purposes very well. I just bought an Enttec ODE and Luminair software to replace the Obey-10 and go wireless, and it all works beautifully with one puzzling exception -- when I use the control slider to call up an automatic program, they still work, but the lights change/move about 4 times slower than with the obey-10. The manual doesn't show any way to control speed via DMX, so I'm really confused how changing a controller causes this to happen. Help!

I use myDMX 2.0 along with DMXenhancer for my lights. This combo is cheaper than some other stuff thats out there, but still gives you the main features. I use the DMXenhancer because you can tap the blackout key on beat, or press and hold the strobes while the scene is still going in the background.

I just got shown this > soundswitch.com which looks like you can control/program lights and perform…they are using Serato in the video. There is a DMX cable going from the hardware box and some like programming software on the screen??..

Very Very keen to have my lights linked to my songs/beat grid ideally if this is what it is??

I posted this in another thread also but haven't heard anymore yet.

Ya it looks really cool!

quote fail :-/

www.lumidesk.com

It is only afected by your beatgrid in serato . Not the voice of the mc

..And just noticed that's prob a dmx wire and not an audio signal.

so lights can be programmed with your song?

It looks like you can program lighting and it interfaces with Serato, possibly with beat gird info.

^^^ That's correct. It's going to be amazing!

Wo!

That interface looks sick in the photo too. I've emailed them to see when it's going to be released.

Hopefully you can hook it up to club lights too but I'll still be keen to use for house party, rave nights if it's reasonably simple to use.

plz anyone tell me, do i need any hardware to use dmx light control software?

Most if not all software require a small controller (usually the software is free and you pay for the hardware) to send the DMX signals out to the fixtures.

You are always going to need some sort of hardware. Something will need to translate the commands from software to hardware. As LoLyfe stated, some you buy the hardware and software is free. Some you buy both hardware and software.

Check out the videos on the Soundswitch website; they should provide you with most of the info you'd want about its functionality.

Please, keep in mind I am a DJ just moving into the Mobile World.

It would be awesome if Serato DJ was integrated with DMX Lighting control built in, this way you can use one Computer, DJ/Mix, and Control Lighting, all with one software. Can this be done now?

A guy can dream.

soundswitch.com

1) this is a hugely informative thread and I want to thank everyone (esp. DJ Nyce) for contributing.
2) This is a DJ forum but controlling lights and integrating sound is something we do on a daily basis in the theatre as well. We have common interests here.
3) Has anyone tried and been able to master Q Light Controller Plus? (www.qlcplus.org) I have some experience with lighting for the theatre on a conventional console and the paradigm that QLC uses does not yet make sense to me. I've only been at it for a few hours, and maybe it will make sense in the morning.
4) I'm normally a mac guy but have enough old windows laptops lying around that I should be able to try Freestyler as well.
Thanks to all.
Happy Holidays!

Hi, I am new to DMX and have a question. I bought 4 LED Pars and a stand. I now need a DMX controller and software to run them.
Heres my applications:
1) I want to program lights to a stereo audio track, and Play drums along to the track.
2) I also want to play LIVE to the same tunes, but I dont want the audio track to output. I want to play along to a clicktrack.
What would be awesome is if I could have the audio track and the click track in parallel to each other along the Lighting timeline, and then just turn on or off the track I want to hear in my headphones (Click vs Audio track).
Which software would best suit me? I tried ShowXpress demo, and the issue is you cant input an audio and click track. I also think their timeline is weak as I couldnt figure out how to fade from scene to scene on the timeline, and it was a pain to align tracks to the audio. (I do like their Generator and Steps assembler however!!!) Thanks for helping me out!

Hey guys,
I use Chauvet Showxpress and have a Showxpress 512 USB - DMX box. Would the 512 universe box work with Serato Soundswitch?? I don't want to pay another $500 for the same kind of universe box.

Let me know!

Thank you

serato.com
"Serato has teamed up with fellow NZ company Onesixone Ltd, who have developed SoundSwitch. It is a software-hardware package which bridges the gap between Serato DJ and lighting systems. The first of its kind."

Of course you have to pay. How will Onesixone make any money on SoundSwitch with any other dongle? I use Showxpress and love it. I have not paid for 1 single software update in 2 years.

Can someone explaine to me how SoundSwitch works when you are DJing with Serato DJ I am still not sure how it works, does it run in the background? Does it (the software need to be running) we talked about turining everything off in optimizing Serato DJ.

Who has it? do you like it? Does it work with Lasers?

Hi Yaitanis,

Correct, SoundSwitch does run in the background but don't worry it doesnt put much of a load on your machine. In Performance Mode the software is lite enough that you can easily run Serato DJ, Video and SoundSwitch at the same time.

SoundSwitch will load and Sync light shows to the BeatGrid in Serato DJ as you play. You can also create custom light shows for some songs in your DJ set if you like.

The next version of SoundSwitch, due for release in March will allow you to control Lasers.

Hit us up on support@soundswitch.com if you need any more help.

Wait Lasers. Will this be available on a MAC?

I'm sick and tired of Pangolin monopoly on Laser software. Plus it only runs on a PC.

As long as the laser is DMX controlled then yes, SoundSwitch will be able to control most attributes of the laser for example:

Color - Auto Matched to LED and Colorwheel fixtures.
Movement - X, Y, Z
Strobe
Pattern

The Scorpion Storm FX RGB would be a great choice.

www.chauvetdj.com

Yes, SoundSwitch is available on both Mac and PC.

However, ILDA is not currently supported.

Have you looked into Moncha? I use Pangolin as well, but I've seen what Moncha can do and it's quite impressive.

Moncha looks pretty simple. Does it work on a Mac. What are the prices?

Hmmm... good call. I clearly did not think that far ahead. :) I've only seen it on another buddies' computer.
Sorry to say, but you'll have to google those questions - I'm afraid I'm not much help other than Pangolin Quickshow. I'm am pretty good with that software for both lasers and DMX though.

I give Quickshow an A- rating. It's great for lasers and does DMX functions fairly well. It's also very simple to use... But it is NOT good for moving head light fixtures. If you want that, try LightKey.

It doesn't look like Moncha supports Mac OS. Anyone tried RayComposer for controlling an animated laser? Are there any other Mac OS laser controllers out there? I'm looking for something that includes an Animation Editor.

So, the only options as far as running Mac OS is ShowXpress with a Xpress-512 or 512+?
Seems a little restraining.

There are a few options out there depending on what you want to do. If you've got a DMX laser you can use:
Sweet light / ShowXpress
Cuelux
Lightkey
Luminair (iOS)

Some have compatibility with Enttec products.

If instead you have an ILDA animation laser and want to do your own graphics you'll need to use:
RayComposer
Showeditor

Oh and I probably missed some. For example I'm not sure if Laserboy got working for the Mac or whatever came of that project.

Hey guys, thanks for an amazing thread!

I'm seriously looking at ShowXpress - just wondering if something else is required to run a video backing with the lights?

My show is singing live with video backings (using projectors) and wanting to synch up the lights with the show. Every song needs to have it's own lighting, synched to the song, and ideally I want to be able to pause the timeline in-between songs.

Will ShowXpress allow you to import a Quicktime .mov file and allow to the vision to go out through HDMI, while synching the lights to the music from the same file?

I'm new to this, using mac, definitely like the idea of ShowXpress - just need to know if I need something else to run along side it for the vision and audio, and if so - how to synch them.

Thanks in advance!
Brioni :)

You might want to look at running Resolume 5 and/or Martin M-PC.

Brioni, I just tried it with a .mov file and it works. It brings up a "ScreenControl" windows that played back veriy smoothly, even when resized to full screen. When you hook up the Macbook to a HDMI, you can select second disply instead of duplicate display. Have your projector set as display 2 and move the "ScreenControl" to the 2nd display and resize for the whole screen.
www.poweronplay.com

I would double check in ShowExpress parent company forums.
forum.thelightingcontroller.com
"Live - TimeLine
create synch shows with video, audio and lights"

Hello,
I have a small installation and I'm using a software to control my lights. I use an iPad app and a Ethernet to DMX hardware.

I use Photon (photon-ios.com) on my iPad and the hardware is an ENTTEC ODE.
Wireless is very cool for my needs.

Here is a quick video example of a stage set-up I put together using several moving head fixtures in conjunction with a pair of video walls. Lighting is controlled with Chauvet ShowXpress DMX software, and visuals are Serato Video.
www.facebook.com

- Cool -

Between ADJ MyDMX and Chauvet ShowExpress... anyone care to comment on the good and bad of each? I've not used either.... yet.

MyDMX, MyDMX 2.0 or MyDMX 3.0. You need to purchase new hardware for each new upgrade.

I've never paid for one upgrade using Chauvet ShowExpress aka The Lighting Controller.

Yep...
I've had ShowXpress for a while and have upgraded a few times and has been free.

A buddy of mine just bought Luminair for iPod. Requires Enttec dongle and wireless router, but it works great and it's portable. Whole system for about $300.

What type of fixtures are you trying to control? Uplighting, movers? I run luminair to control uplighting and some movers. The one downside to luminair is that you have to run everything within one scene: uplighting, movers, pin spots. etc. The more fixtures you want to control in one scene gets cumbersome.

There is another app i've been wanting to tryout called Vibrio. This is similar to Luminair but allows run several scenes at once.

I really like showXpress. (But it's the only DMX software I really know.) The only thing I can compare it would be my experience on a traditional DMX controller like a chauvet obey40.
I especially like the wireless tablet control over live mode using the app. It's fun being able to trigger scenes from anywhere in the room.

Hey guys I recently purchased a chauvet obey 10 dmx controller to control moving heads,can I run six heads of this controller ?

you can run only up to 8 lighting heads and it can only control 12 channels. a typical moving head has 20 channels. you can run up to more than 8 lighting head but you are going to use same addressing for 2 heads and another same addressing for another 2 heads. if you do that, the heads with same addresses will have the same control since you program them in the same address.

rookie here as far as dmx software. anyone in the group familiar with qlc plus? my first initial plan was to use freestyler but for the life of me i cannot find a good tutorial video in english that i can follow along to set it up. if anyone knows of one please send me a link.

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I just picked up Soundswitch and have spent some time with it and I am impressed. Pretty simple and great support so far. I get return emails in a day and have had a fixture added to the library in like 3 days. Happy to answer any questions I can about the product. I use SS on CHauvet Spot 360's and Elation Duo X Beam without any issue.

I'm holding out until I can do secondary control, as in control the lights manually during a speech or performance. Important for focusing moving heads on someone walking around during a speech, etc...

Agreed, If we are talking set and forget mydmx or similar software is more that sufficient to get the job done, but also setting and forgetting on a few cheap controllers with lighting scene's is more reliable to be honest.

This feature was added ages ago.

Its called Static Looks

Watchwww.youtube.com

I like sound switch as well...and with the latest version you can control your lights on a separate laptop independent of Serato by tapping in the BPM on the second laptop!

I got SoundSwitch recently and love the ability to create song specific sequences, etc.

Switched almost 2 years ago from hardware controller to SoundSwitch

Same and I ain’t looked back since 🤙🏾

Yeah, love sound switch

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my favorite place for fun with the music

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Hello forum users. I see there are people who like to play. I have not been atk for a long time in this sphere, but it is specific. not even advisers. the only one found the rating spin4play.com on it and go

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Best is yet to come

For me I love SoundSwitch!

It was the one addition I needed to standardize my setup with the Serato platform.

I use light rider but I was thinking about getting SS to program lights how's for parties and for an upsell option... What's the learning curve?

I use light rider but I was thinking about getting SS to program lights how's for parties and for an upsell option... What's the learning curve?

The learning curve is not too bad, plus there is a lot of tutorial material on YouTube.

The new 2.3 version makes it easy to midi map the lights, etc...

Plus there is autoscripting, etc., etc....

while Pangolin does DMX it is missing some key features that any DMX software should have.

Makes sense because it is for controlling lasers.

i wouldn't recommend it for programming a light show with various fixtures.

J.J. i'm not sure what version of FreeStyler you are using or the system that it is running on,

but ever since i have started using it a few years ago it has been nothing but flawless for me.

have you tried running it virtually on your mac?

the reason that i love it is because it is free, works with any interface and has some extremely powerful features. recently i started getting into the midi mapping and submasters.

i've tried myDMX, lightjockey and showexpress.

myDMX is win/mac so that a plus. runs stable as far as i can tell. you can't create/edit fixtures on the mac. the interface is horrible (pretty tho). especially when you have a lot of lights. alot of space is wasted with the dmx faders.

the scene builder is ok, but the scene system is extremely limited. basically you can only create a scene with x number of steps. and you can only run one scene at a time!

no notion of cue buttons (recall multiple scenes), no notion of override (override currently playing scene) and no notion of submasters/subcues (mix and match different parts of different scenes on the fly).

and the fact that no 3D until (let's just say 2014) is wack.
____________________________________
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For me I love warehousity.com

my favorite place for fun with the music

For me I love SoundSwitch!

It was the one addition I needed to standardize my setup with the www.omneelab.com platform.

MyDMX is win/mac so that a plus. runs stable as far as i can tell. you can't create/edit fixtures on the mac. the interface is horrible pretty tho.
especially when you have a lot of lights. alot of space is wasted with the dmx faders.

the scene builder is ok, but the scene system is extremely limited. basically you can only create a scene with x number of steps. and you can only run one scene at a time!

----------------------------------------
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For Mac... Light Key is decent. You can create/edit your own fixture profiles. (It also comes loaded with tons of common lights.) Programming is pretty easy (especially for moving head fixtures), and control with MIDI is a snap.
I use Pangolin for lasers yet, but Light Key is my go-to for DMX. Also, Light Key is free for 24 channels and you can run it with the cheaper Enttec open-source dongles.

This week i bought Woflmix W1 , and i'm blown away ... it's a great little piece of hardware , it does not need a laptop .
Still trying to learn it and get used to it before i take it out to my weddings & private events .

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The scene builder is ok, but the scene system is extremely limited. basically you can only create a scene with x number of steps. and you can only run one scene at a time!

no notion of cue buttons recall multiple scenes, no notion of override override currently playing scene and no notion of submasters/subcues (mix and match different parts of different scenes on the fly.

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<a href="serato.com for the info</a>

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Great discussion on DMX controllers vs. DMX lighting software! Personally, I’ve been using a DMX controller, and it's been solid for my gigs. However, after my upcoming event with Virtual Staffing Services crecentech.com in Exton, PA, I’ll be looking to sell my current DMX controller. It’s served me well, but I’m ready to explore new options after this event. If anyone’s interested, feel free to reach out!

Great discussion on DMX controllers vs. DMX lighting software! Personally, I’ve been using a DMX controller, and it's been solid for my gigs. However, after my upcoming event with Virtual Staffing Services crecentech.com in Exton, PA, I’ll be looking to sell my current DMX controller. It’s served me well, but I’m ready to explore new options after this event. If anyone’s interested, feel free to reach out!

Great discussion on DMX controllers vs. DMX lighting software! Personally, I’ve been using a DMX controller, and it's been solid for my gigs. However, after my upcoming event with Virtual Staffing Services crecentech.com in Exton, PA, I’ll be looking to sell my current DMX controller. It’s served me well, but I’m ready to explore new options after this event. If anyone’s interested, feel free to reach out!

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Still rocking SoundSwitch, at version 2.9 now with BPM detection from an audio source.

I just got an Eliminator Lighting (ADJ) Mega Flat Pak 8 set.

I have the ADJ RGB3C mini controller for standalone uplight setups.

I reached out to SoundSwitch and requested the profile be added. They added them within a day. This was prior to me picking them up from the vendor.

I set them up in SoundSwitch immediately since I use the micro DMX adapter and Control One.

This gives me multiple ways to control the uplights including the built in Sound mode.

I also use SoundSwitch with my Chauvet Gigbar Move setup.

Sir Ultimately, considering the project requirements and personal workflow can help WordPress web sealapks.net designers make an informed decision between a MX Controller and DMX lighting software to enhance their lighting design capabilities. thanks again

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follow this step which is given below

I set them up in SoundSwitch immediately since I use the micro DMX adapter and Control One.

This gives me multiple ways to control the uplights including the built in Sound mode on instaspro.net.

I also use SoundSwitch with my Chauvet Gigbar Move setup.

thanks for sharing with us

sir I reached out to SoundSwitch and requested the profile be added pikashowapps.org. They added them within a day. This was prior to me picking them up from the vendor.

sir I reached out to SoundSwitch and requested the profile be added pikashowapps.org. They added them within a day. This was prior to me picking them up from the vendor.

This gives me multiple ways to control the uplights including the built in Sound mode on gbappss.net.pk.

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